Guess what? We just had our first Sidewalk Sunday School session this last weekend! It was really great. A few days before the session, our team passed out fliers throughout the neighborhood (well, actually throughout ALL the neighborhoods within walking distance from our site), and we met several times to prepare. Our team was super motivated. They made props, prepared the games, and taught parts of the lesson. Our leader even baked cakes and brought coffee for all the parents who came.
In total, 43 people came (32 kids and 11 adults.) The truth is, most of the people who came were already headed for the park and then stopped when they saw us setting everything up. Most of the people that came (well, maybe everyone who came) are immigrants--Russian Germans and Middle Eastern Germans. I think the coolest part for me (Michelle) was that the moms knew just about as much German as I do. I always imagined
Sidewalk Sunday School to be a little intimidating, considering the language barrier. But now, it´s really a cool gift from God to be able to relate to the other moms as a fellow immigrant.Another great aspect of our program was the theme. We had "Hollywood Day", complete with red carpet, a podium, an Oscar, pictures of movie sta
rs, and an "actual" movie star of our own. Kids and parents alike waited in line to take pictures with one of our staff members, who wore a blond wig, high heels, and sunglasses. We also gave the kids an opportunity to show their talents, such as dancing and singing. Three boys even started break dancing on the red carpet!And of course, the most important part was the message. The kids were really attentive, and the parents listened from the side of the tarps. It was just so exciting to see the Word of God preached in our neighborhood park. At the end, many families told us they want to come to our next program (which is in October).
Please pray with us--that we can truly reach the families in our neighborhood. We live in an immigrant community with many, many families. We know that God has a vision for these people to become not only saved, but also to become ministers and missionaries. Thank you for fighting with us on your knees.
